Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-11-24
MEETING IN THE RAIN.
A rHANKseIvINa RoMANcE.


On gloomy evening In November a
young lady was walking rapidly along
The country road leading out of the Little
village of N. 1t was an isolated
region, aud she had met no one, except
now and then tired laborer returning
from his short autumn days work, who
gazed at her with some surprise, as he
made her an uncouth salutation.
For this young lady, Miss Violet Dem
ms by name, was very evidently not Of
this locality, as one saw at a glance.
From the top of her little close walking
hat to the tip of her dainty boot, she was
as elegant and stylish as nature and art
could make her. Her presence here Just
now was due to the fact that she had
fingered late at a country boarding
house, where she had accompanied an
Invalid aunt, after the gay season of the
watering places was over. This was the
last evening of her stay at N, and
she was now returning from the daily
constitutional which she made a great
point of. She was walking rapidly, for
there was an imminent threatening of
raln-already few stray drops had
fallen. Rejecting that she had neither
waterproof nor umbrella, she began to
feel very apprehensive, and not without
reason, for in few minutes more she
found herself in the midst of steady,
settled downpour, which soon drenched
her. She couldn't help laughing at the
idea of her absurd appearance, and was
ploddlng bravely on, when she suddenly
become aware of a buggy approaching
her.
1t contained one person onIy--a young
gentleman, who had the air of man of
the world, and was dressed in the rough
textuIed, well fitting equipments suited
to hunting expedition.
The rain was coming down in torrents
as he approached Miss Dennis, and he
gave her very bewidered gaze, and
lifted his hat automatically as he passed.
The next instant, an expression of won
der, doubt and surprise came into his
face, and he abruptly turned his horse
and came up to her side, springing from
the buggy and addressing her with much
earnestness.
''Pray let me dive you to your desti-'
nation" he said, barring his head to the
rain and looking at her scrutinizingly.
''Thank you very much, but I don't
mind the rain, said Miss Dennis. 'tBe-
sides, am half way there, and am al
ready wet.n
ALLOW me to insist, thought have no
right, " he said, with manner that was
extremely deferential, despite its hurry.
1T is really the only thing to dog
Almost before she knew what she was
doing, Violet found herself walking
coward the buggy, and the next instant
the young man had taken from it mans
rubber coat, and was holding itout for
her TO put on. At this Miss Dennis drew
back, somewhat haughtily. She was
often calle naughty by her friends, and
sometimes laughed at by them because OF
II.
"Oblige me by putting this on at
once, the young man said, in voice
that had such an imperious ring that
Violet was actually surprised into COM
plIance. An instant more firm hand
under her elbow had assisted her to her
seat, and the young man had taken a seat
beside her, and carefully drawn the rub
Der blanket around her.
AOio SoE nc Salu, turning and
facing her, and as he did 80, broke into
abroad smile. There was nothing in the
smile but pure amusement, but, none the
less, she resented it.
ITO Mrs. Harper's boarding house, at
this end Of the village, if you know, = she
answered distantly.
II do not know, regret to say. But
you will direct me, Please"
Miss Dennis merely bowed in reply.
II do not know this country ut all, /"
the gentleman went ON, sand you, / sup
pose, are almost as much a stranger
to it,"
This was uncomfortable! What right
had he to be trying to find out things
about herr She avoided looking towards
the handsome, brown bearded face so
near to her, and answered, in q chilling
tone:
ION the contrary, I know it very
WE'LL"
"Then you live in this neighborhoodp'
ne asked. in surprised tone.
Il beg your pardon, said Violet, SC
verely, not that she did not understand
him, but that she wished to intimidate
him so that he would not repeat tho
question.
Il asked if you lived in this neighbor.
hood, = her companion said, quite una
Dashed, and with a twinkle in his ewes
that would probably have angered her
further still if she had deigned to meet
his gaze.
No, I do not live in this neighbor-
hood, answered the girl, icily.
y am sure the neighborhood is vastly
the loser thereby. =
Violet threw back her head with . mo.
tion OF naughty indignation, whereat the
stranger broke into little merry laugh.
At last the drive came to an end, and
it was with infinite satisfaction that she
pointed out Mrs. Harper's house.
II am much obliged to you," she
forced herself to say, though I regret
exceedingly having trespassed on your
kindness
"Don't mention it, beg of you, . the
young man answered, airily. 81 con
slider myself infinitely the favored party,
] assure you. I am indebted to you for
9 charming drive, which has had no
drawback, except its shortness.'
Well, surelyl This sOas beyond all
precedent How cougd man look
80 essentially gentleman and be SO ill.,
pred and obnoxious2 Violet was in
rage. When the buggy stopped before